The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 (Philadelphia area) has asked EPA headquarters for an additional $4 million to clean up the BoRit site in Ambler, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia.

According to an article in the Ambler Gazette, the request came in the form of an action memo prepared by the Eastern branch’s on-scene coordinator, Eduardo Rovira. “The signing of the action memo authorizes the region’s removal program to get started on the design plan, detailing the actual work to be done to address exposed areas, site security access and stream bank stabilization.,” notes the article.

The BoRit asbestos site exists as a result of waste disposal operations by the former Keasby and Mattison Company, Certainteed Corporation, and Nicolet Industries, all companies that once produced asbestos-containing products such as paper, insulation, brake linings, piping, roofing shingles and more. According to a historical account of the area, asbestos operations occurred at the site from 1897 until the 1980s.

The regional EPA claims they can cover about $4 million in clean up expenses, which will total about $8 million dollar, thus the request for additional funds. According to the memo, asbestos has been found “in the air, soil, surface water and in sediment samples [at the site] throughout the years.”

The creek is routinely fished by local residents, the memo notes, and studies have shown asbestos has a negative effect on fish, even increased mortality in some species. Another section of the memo outlines the human consequences of the contaminated site, including the development of asbestos-related cancers and other non-cancer diseases linked to the inhalation of asbestos fibers.

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